Drive Motor Retail has officially unveiled its newly redeveloped Darlington dealership, following an investment of over £3 million that has transformed the site into one of the region’s largest multi-brand automotive centres.
The redevelopment brings together seven vehicle brands under one roof, including Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat, Abarth, Vauxhall, Leapmotor and MG, alongside Fiat Professional aftersales services, creating a unique destination for motorists across the North East.
The modernised dealership now features five manufacturer showrooms, significantly expanded workshop facilities and space to display more than 130 used vehicles, allowing customers to compare a wide range of vehicles in a single visit.
The project represents the first full refurbishment of the site in over 20 years, bringing the dealership in line with the latest manufacturer design standards and improving the overall experience for customers.
Extensive changes have also been made, including relocating the MOT bay and installing additional ramps to expand workshop capacity and allow the team to service more vehicles.
The redevelopment has also created over 10 new jobs, strengthening the dealership’s role as a local employer, with additional recruitment ongoing for skilled technicians.
Jeff Parkin, general manager at Drive Motor Retail Darlington, said: “This redevelopment marks an exciting new chapter for our Darlington dealership.
“After more than 20 years, the site has been completely transformed into a modern automotive centre that brings together an exceptional range of brands and services.
“By investing in the dealership, we’ve been able to create a much better experience for our customers, whether they’re visiting to explore new vehicles, browse our used car selection or have their car serviced.
“We’re particularly proud that this investment is also creating new job opportunities in the area and helping strengthen our presence in Darlington for many years to come.
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“It’s fantastic to finally see the redevelopment complete, and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers to the new site.”
Customers can now visit the upgraded dealership to explore the full range of vehicles and services now available.
Drive Motor Retail is one of the UK’s leading privately owned automotive retail groups, with an annual turnover of approximately £400 million and a workforce of over 800 employees across 34 franchise dealerships nationwide.